Copyright newsweek
The 2025 college football season has now moved through Week 9. At this point in the year, there are a handful of players who have separated themselves as potential Heisman Trophy favorites. Around the nation, there are a few teams who have become top-tier national championship contenders as well. While the group of players who could win the prestigious Heisman have started thinning out, there are a lot of differing opinions about who the front-runner should be right now. Read more: Urban Meyer Doesn’t Hold Back About Indiana, Curt Cignetti With that being said, former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky has weighed in with his thoughts on the subject. The Heisman Memorial trophy on display during the 2025 Big Ten Football Media Days at Mandalay Bay Convention Center on July 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Orlovsky took to social media to share his entire top five after Week 9 action. He has a very popular player at the top of his list. At number one, Orlovsky has Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia firmly in place. Behind him, Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King is second, with Indiana signal caller Fernando Mendoza is third. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Alabama’s Ty Simpson round out Orlovsky’s top five. Heisman1) Pavia2) King3) Mendoza4 Sayin5) Simpson— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) October 26, 2025 Pavia has become one of the most popular players in college football. He has led Vanderbilt to being a competitive football team and has an electrifying personality. Some don’t like him because of perceived arrogance, but there is no denying the major impact he has made on helping turn the Commodores around. So far this season with Vanderbilt, Pavia has completed 68.8 percent of his pass attempts for 1,698 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He has also carried the football 85 times for 458 yards and five touchdowns. As far as his numbers, Pavia has been one of the best players in the nation. His importance to the Commodores is another major reason to have him at No. 1 on a current Heisman list. Read more: Florida State’s Stance on Firing Mike Norvell May Soon Change: Report It will be interesting to see what the rest of the 2025 college football season has in store. Vanderbilt has a tough matchup upcoming on the road against the Texas Longhorns. After that, the Commodores will take on Auburn and Kentucky at home before facing the Tennessee Volunteers on the road to close out the year. For Vanderbilt to get into the College Football Playoff, Pavia will need to have a strong close to the regular season. For more Vanderbilt Commodores news and more on college football, head to Newsweek Sports.
